Little girl seriously injured in Kingaroy horse fall nominates ‘hero’ nurse Kate Trenoweth for award

The 9-year-old’s terrified family were told the little girl’s injuries were comparable to a full-impact car crash.

When little Belle was seriously injured after falling from her horse outside Kingaroy, her terrified parents knew their little girl had a long and arduous road to recovery ahead of her.

The 9-year-old had been practising for pony club when she took a hard fall, breaking her pelvis and jaw, and leaving her with internal bleeding.

Belle was flown to Queensland Children’s Hospital were her parents were told the severity of her injuries were similar to a full-impact car crash.

Belle was flown to QCH with a broken jaw, three breaks in her pelvisand internal bleeding.

Watching her little girl being rushed into several emergency surgeries. Belle’s mother Jess said the first 24 hours were frightening for the family.

“Due the variety of her injuries, she was being treated by multiple teams and doctors, which was overwhelming to listen to,” she said.

About three days into Belle’s hospitalisation the family met nurse navigator Kate Trenoweth, who’s part of the paediatric trauma team at the hospital.

As Belle immediately bonded with her favourite nurse in red scrubs, Ms Trenoweth became a familiar face for the family and helped navigate them through Belle’s recovery.

“Belle had a lot of wonderful nurses, but the bond she formed with Kate was so special,” Jess said.

“We know she was just doing her job, but to us it felt like she went above and beyond.”

Nurse Navigator Kate Trenoweth with 9 year old Belle.

When the family heard QSuper was giving them an opportunity to nominate a healthcare worker in the Juiced TV Super Hero awards, Jess said Belle jumped at the opportunity to nominate Ms Trenoweth.

“While I am chuffed to be nominated for this award, I’m also very humbled because I am just one of many healthcare professionals who contribute to the care of our patients,” Ms Trenoweth said.

“My whole team were absolutely blown away by this little girl. She was so tiny and fatigued, but she had absolute spirit, personality and ‘pizzazz’.”

Belle was thrilled to nominate her favourite nurse Kate Trenoweth in the Juiced TV SuperHero awards.

As a nurse navigator, Ms Trenoweth often assumes the role as a conduit between the doctors and the families of paediatric patients. More often than not, she quickly becomes the crucial support for someone who has experienced trauma.

“I honestly think the true heroes are children like Belle and their families who show such courage and resilience in the face of what can be a really challenging journey,” Ms Trenoweth said.

“My career has been really rewarding, but also challenging at times.

“It was important for me to continue to follow the journey of these children, particularly with children like Belle, beyond the doors of the emergency department.”